Class-based per-flow queuing across multiple hierarchical link-sharing structures

ABSTRACT

A method for class-based per-flow queuing for use with multiple link-sharing hierarchies, where each one of multiple link-sharing hierarchies imposes a different resource allocation program at one or more levels of differentiation, extending from the link root node to each individual data flow. A new queuing decision layer is introduced that considers all hierarchies simultaneously and arrives at a single queuing solution.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims benefit from U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/875,893, filed Jun. 8, 2001, which ishereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to computer and telecommunicationsnetworks in general, and more particularly to resource allocationtherefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In computer and telecommunications networks, devices such as routers andswitches direct the flow of data packets between the data source and itsdestination. Where resources such as bandwidth of a particular router orswitch is limited, known queuing techniques may be employed toprioritize the forwarding of data packets in accordance withdiscriminatory resource allocation criteria. In one such queuingtechnique, known as Class-based queuing (CBQ) and described in “ResourceManagement Models for Packet Networks,” Sally Floys and Van Jacobson,IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, Vol. 3 No. 4, August, 1995, ahierarchical link-sharing mechanism is provided for use in packet-basednetworks where multiple entities, such as agencies, protocol families,or traffic types, share a single data link in a controlled fashion. InCBQ, traffic flows that share a single data link are bundled intological queues, where each queue represents a class of flows. Resourceallocation of the shared resource (e.g., bandwidth) is then performedfor each class based on a set of rules that establish the share thateach queue is to receive of the shared resource.

An example of a prior art CBQ link-sharing hierarchy may be seen in FIG.1, where three agencies are connected to a single link. Each agency inturn provides various network services, such as FTP and TELNET, shown asbranched flows, which in turn may comprise branched flows representinglower-level services, data flow groupings, or individual data flows. InCBQ, each node of the hierarchy shown in FIG. 1 receives a percentageshare in the shared resource, with the shares equaling 100% for allnodes at the same level. Scheduling mechanisms are then used to ensurethat each node receives its allotted resource allocation.

While CBQ addresses resource allocation for a single link-sharinghierarchy, CBQ does not address the use of multiple link-sharinghierarchies where each hierarchy models resource allocation according toa different set of criteria. For example, in FIG. 1, while a TELNET userin Agency A ought to receive a portion of the 10% of the available linkresources allotted to all TELNET users in Agency A, the introduction ofan additional link-sharing hierarchy as shown in FIG. 2 and which hasdifferent classes: of users might indicate, for example, that the useris a VIP user who ought to receive a portion of the 80% of the availablelink resources allotted to all VIP-users. Unfortunately, current CBQtechniques do not offer a way to consider multiple link-sharinghierarchies and arrive at a single queuing solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to adapt CBQ for use with multiplelink-sharing hierarchies. In the present invention each one of multiplelink-sharing hierarchies imposes a different resource allocation programat one or more levels of differentiation, extending from the link rootnode to each individual data flow. A new queuing decision layer isintroduced that considers all hierarchies simultaneously and arrives ata single queuing solution.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a method for class-based per-flow queuing acrossmultiple hierarchical link-sharing structures, where each of thestructures shares a single link, where each of the structures includes aplurality of leaves, where each of the leaves represents a single flow,and where each of the leaves is common to each of the structures, themethod including a) providing a leaf selection mechanism operative toenforce a plurality of rules adapted for the multiple hierarchicallink-sharing structures, and b) selecting in response to applying theleaf selection mechanism one of the leaves for servicing during atransmission opportunity.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method further includes updating operating parameters ofthe multiple hierarchical link-sharing structures to reflect resourceusage by the leaf serviced during the transmission opportunity.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a method for class-based per-flow queuing acrossmultiple hierarchical link-sharing structures, the method including a)distributing at least one of a plurality V of tokens to each of aplurality of hierarchical link-sharing structures, where each of thestructures shares a single link, where each of the structures includes aplurality of leaves, where each of the leaves represents a single flow,and where each of the leaves is common to each of the structures, b)distributing each of the tokens to one of the leaves in each of thestructures, and c) selecting one of the leaves having at least V tokensfor servicing during a transmission opportunity.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the distributing step a) includes distributing a number of thetokens equal to the number of the structures.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the distributing step a) includes distributing one of thetokens to each of the structures.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the distributing step a) includes distributing a first numberof the tokens to a first one of the structures having a first weightingand a second number of the tokens to a second one of the structureshaving a second weighting, where the numbers are relatively proportionalto the weightings.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the distributing step b) includes distributing to the leaf ifthe leaf has not exceeded its maximum allowable resource allocation forany of the structures.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the distributing step b) includes distributing to the leaf ifa blocking period is not currently in effect for the leaf.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the selecting step includes selecting where a queue associatedwith the leaf has data ready to be serviced via the link.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the selecting step includes selecting the leaf if the leaf hasnot exceeded its maximum allowable resource allocation for any of thestructures.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method further includes debiting the serviced leaf by Vtokens.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method further includes incrementing each of a pluralityof usage counters at each node of the structures along the path from theserviced leaf to the link.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the selecting step includes selecting the leaf from a groupconsisting of time-sensitive leaves.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method further includes time-stamping data upon arrival ateach of a plurality of queues, where each of the queues is associatedwith one of the leaves, and where the selecting step includes selectingthe leaf having the longest-waiting of the data where none of thetime-sensitive leaves has a greater number of tokens than any other ofthe time-sensitive leaves.

The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and otherpublications mentioned in this specification and of the patents, patentapplications, and other publications cited therein are herebyincorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theappended drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are simplified conceptual illustrations of exemplary priorart CBQ-based hierarchical link-sharing structures;

FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart illustration of a method of class-basedper-flow queuing across multiple hierarchical link-sharing structures,operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a simplified conceptual illustration of an exemplaryimplementation of class-based per-flow queuing across multiplehierarchical link-sharing structures, useful in understanding the methodof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart illustration of a method of blocking,operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a simplified flowchart illustration of a method of class-basedper-flow queuing across multiple hierarchical link-sharing structures,operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to-FIG. 3, which is a simplified flowchartillustration of a method of class-based per-flow queuing across multiplehierarchical link-sharing structures, operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, and additionally to FIG.4, which is a simplified conceptual illustration of an exemplaryimplementation of class-based per-flow queuing across multiplehierarchical link-sharing structures, useful in understanding the methodof FIG. 3. In the method of FIG. 3, a plurality K of hierarchicallink-sharing structures or trees, such as trees 400 and 402 as shown inFIG. 4, are formed and maintained using known CBQ techniques (step 300).Although two trees are shown, any number of trees may be accommodated.As in FIGS. 1 and 2 above, trees 400 and 402 are configured such thateach of their nodes receives a percentage share in the shared resource,with the shares equaling 100% for all nodes at the same level. Thus, forexample, in tree 400 the two nodes below the link node are configured toreceive 60% and 40% respectively of the link resources, such as 60% and40% respectively of the link's available bandwidth. In accordance withthe present invention, trees 400 and 402 share a single, common link404, are configured such that all leaves represent single flows, labeledas A, B, C, and D, and have the same leaves (i.e., each single flow isexpressed as a leaf in each tree). It is assumed that only one leaf mayuse link 404 at any given time, with “use” of link 404 defined asreceiving an allocation of the resources of link 404 for a period oftime, such as receiving the full bandwidth of link 404 for thetransmission of a data packet in a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)network. This link use by a leaf for a given period of time is hereinreferred to as a “transmission opportunity.” Prior to each transmissionopportunity, a total of V tokens are distributed to the K trees, suchthat each tree receives one or more of the V tokens in accordance withits weighting relative to the other trees (step 302). Where all treesare equally weighted, V may be set equal to K such that each treereceives one token. Where the trees are not equally weighted, V may beset such that ${V = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{K}w_{i}}},$where each tree i is given w_(i) (w_(i)>=0) tokens where w_(i) is theweight of the tree or a multiple thereof. Thus, where there are threetrees weighted at 20%, 30%, and 50% respectively, the trees may receive2, 3, and 5 tokens respectively for a total of V=10 tokens, or,alternatively, 20, 30, and 50 tokens respectively for a total of V=100tokens. Whatever value is used for V, a leaf “earns” a transmissionopportunity once it has accumulated at least V tokens.

In the exemplary implementation of FIG. 4, trees 400 and 402 are equallyweighted, and, therefore, receive one token each for each transmissionopportunity. Each tree then distributes the token to one of its leavesin accordance with the tree's particular CBQ rules (step 304). Thus, forexample, in FIG. 4, the token distribution for a first transmissionopportunity results in token #1 being received by tree 400 anddistributed to leaf A, and token #2 being received by tree 402 andlikewise distributed to leaf A. For the next transmission opportunity,token #3 is received by tree 400 and distributed to leaf C, while token#4 is received by tree 402 and distributed to leaf B. For purposes ofillustration, FIG. 4 shows 22 tokens representing 11 flow opportunitieshaving been distributed to the leaves of trees 400 and 402. The tokendistribution for the leaves of both trees 400 and 402 is summarized in atable 406.

Once the tokens for a transmission opportunity have been distributed, aleaf may be selected to receive the resources of the link (step 306). Inone preferred embodiment, the leaf with the greatest number of tokens,such as leaf B in FIG. 4, is selected, typically provided that theselected leaf may be serviced, e.g., if the leaf has a data packetqueued and ready to be transmitted via the link and if the leaf has notexceeded its maximum allowable resource allocation in accordance withthe CBQ rules that govern it. The selected leaf then utilizes itsresource allocation (step 308).

The operating parameters of the multiple hierarchical link-sharingstructures may be updated to reflect the link usage by the servicedleaf. The serviced leaf may be debited V tokens (step 310). Where usagecounters are maintained for each node of the trees in accordance withknown CBQ techniques, the usage counters along the path from theserviced leaf to the link may be incremented to record the resourceusage (step 3.12).

In another preferred embodiment, a time-sensitive scheduler is used toselect a leaf whose needs are time-sensitive. The leaf that is bothtime-sensitive and that has the greatest number of tokens among othertime-sensitive leaves is selected to have its queue serviced. Where notime-sensitive leaf has more tokens than any other time-sensitive leaf,the packet at the head of each leafs queue may be checked, usingconventional time-stamping and aging techniques, to determine whichpacket has been queued longer, and the leaf with the longest-waitingpacket may be selected, such as in accordance with known start-time fairqueuing techniques. Where no time-sensitive leaves needing service arefound during a transmission opportunity, “greatest number of tokens,”“longest-waiting packet,” or any known combination of these criteria maybe used to determine leaf selection.

The present invention may be implemented without modification forlink-sharing flows across multiple CBQ-based link-sharing hierarchieswhere resource borrowing exists, such as from a direct ancestor, from acommon ancient ancestor, etc. In order to support CBQ no-borrow mode,limitations may be set on the distribution of resources using a blockingmechanism in which a single hierarchy may limit the resourcesdistributed to a flow by all other hierarchies.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a simplified flowchartillustration of a method of blocking, operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, and additionally to FIG.6, which is a simplified flowchart illustration of a method ofclass-based per-flow queuing across multiple hierarchical link-sharingstructures, operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. Blocking may be implemented in any of the embodimentsdescribed above as follows. If at any time the particular rules of anytree in the multi-hierarchy model indicates that a leaf should not beserviced, such as where the leaf or any of its parent, grandparent, etc.nodes in a specific link-sharing hierarchy has exceeded its linkresource allocation (step 500), then the leaf may be marked by thehierarchy as “blocked” (step 502). This causes the leaf to not beconsidered for a transmission opportunity, even if the leaf has accrueda sufficient number of tokens. Preferably, such a blocked leaf remainsblocked for a predefined blocking period during which time tokens maynot be allocated to the leaf by-any of the link-sharing hierarchies inthe multi-hierarchy model. Once the blocking period has expired, theleaf may again receive tokens and be considered for selection for atransmission opportunity, provided that the leaf may otherwise beserviced in accordance with all applicable rules at all trees. Themethod of FIG. 6 is substantially similar to the method of FIG. 3 withthe notable exception that steps 604 and 606 are performed for unblockedleaves only.

It is appreciated that one or more steps of any of the methods describedherein may be implemented in a different order than that shown while notdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

While the present invention may or may not have been described withreference to specific hardware or software, the present invention hasbeen described in a manner sufficient to enable persons having ordinaryskill in the art to readily adapt commercially available hardware andsoftware as may be needed to reduce any of the embodiments of thepresent invention to practice without undue experimentation and usingconventional techniques.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore specific embodiments, the description is intended to beillustrative of the invention as a whole and is not to be construed aslimiting the invention to the embodiments shown. It is appreciated thatvarious modifications may occur to those skilled in the art that, whilenot specifically shown herein, are nevertheless within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A method for class-based per-flow queuing across multiplehierarchical link-sharing structures in a communications network, themethod comprising: a) providing a leaf selection mechanism operative toenforce a plurality of rules adapted for a plurality of hierarchicallink-sharing structures, wherein each of said structures shares a singlelink, wherein each of said structures comprises a plurality of leaves,wherein each of said leaves represents a single flow, and wherein eachof said leaves is common to each of said structures; and b) selecting,in response to applying said leaf selection mechanism, one of saidleaves for servicing during a communications network transmissionopportunity.
 2. A method according to claim 1 and further comprisingupdating operating parameters of said multiple hierarchical link-sharingstructures to reflect resource usage by said leaf serviced during saidcommunications network transmission opportunity.